Switzerland
President tours the Africa Mercy
15.08.2011- Top government officials from the Republic of Sierra Leone recently toured the Africa Mercy.
President Koroma is greeted by Hawa, a former patient.
Africa Mercy Managing Director Donovan Palmer has a chat with President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma (center) and Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana.
Dr Gary Parker tours the hospital with the dignitaries.
President Koroma enters the meeting room...
... where he addresses the entire crew of the Africa Mercy.
President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana, and the Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura received a warm reception from the 450 crew members serving onboard the hospital ship.
After being welcomed on the dock by Africa Mercy Managing Director Donovan Palmer, the dignitaries climbed the gangway and were greeted by members of Mercy Ships International Board of Directors.
The special guests were given a tour of the ship and the hospital wards. The dignitaries met several patients and learned about their life-changing surgeries first-hand. After the tour, a presentation was held in which Dr. Gary Parker showed before and after photos of patients treated onboard the Africa Mercy. The dramatic transformations moved President Koroma as he addressed the Mercy Ships board members and crew:
“You have collaborated with us – worked very hard to help us provide smiles. You are willing to help people get back to a normal life. People who were not able to walk – they wobbled – they are now walking. It is a good gift to our country. On behalf of the government, once more, I thank the Director, the initiative and the leaders. God Bless you all.”
